Musket fire whizzed through the air as Roach made land fall Roach's best marksmen had already found vantage points and were picking off Turks from a great distance soon as roach's men took to the beaches the Turks found them selves pinned under a constant barrage of coordinated musket fire and grape shot being fired from the sea. Ladders came up to the walls and Roach's men began climbing.

_________________________________________________Sir Noret: "Men we sail for Crimea to slaughter the enemies of God, those ghastly Turks who seek to disrupt the operations of our glorious ally Russia. Set forth with God Speed!"

*A large pod-like object hurtles across an uncharted star system. The pod is organic in nature and crudely maneuvers toward a volcanic world. It soon enters the planet's orbit, and then a wave of fire builds around its ventral surface as it begins the arduous process of atmospheric re-entry. The pod shakes violently but stays its course and emerges from the fireball intact, raising sail-like membranes that catch the air and act as airbrakes to slow its pell-mell descent. The sky around it is red or black and filled with choking clouds of volcanic ash. After reducing its velocity to safer limits, the pod rotates its membranes so that they form glider-like wings, allowing it to coast through the air.*

*Before long, the pod enters the final stages of its landing as it glides over a large volcanic mountain range. It angles its membranes to brake again, but as it hurtles over one of the many lava-filled caldera below, the behemoth suddenly and violent shoots up a column of flame. The pod escapes the worst of the inferno, but its portside membranes are completely scorched away and it immediately drops like a stone. It smashes through the caldera rim and rolls and slides helter-skelter down the volcano's side. Obsidian and other volcanic rock are scattered everywhere by the pod's passage until it manages to stop just short of sliding into a river of lava that is winding its way through the fire-mountain range. The pod's slowdown churns up a large amount of igneous rock on its front, some of which tumbles into the channel of fire. A large scar is left in the volcano's side by the pod's crash.*

*For several long minutes, the pod lies quietly, partially buried in volcanic rock and nearly completely flipped-over. Then, a valve on its starboard side--relatively, on its port dorsal surface--opens and a narrow, insectoid head slowly emerges from inside the pod. The creature looks around for a few moments before withdrawing its head and suddenly leaping out to land with a crunch on the volcanic rock piled up around the pod. It is the size of a human car, with four massive spike-tipped primary limbs on its lower body and two more prehensile-looking secondary limbs farther up. Sprouting from its shoulders are two long tentacles ending in lethal pods.*

*The creature does another sweep of the immediate area before it looks back up at the valve and utters a short, metallic bark. Seconds later, many tiny green beings, hundreds of them, begin crawling out of the opening in the pod and down its surface toward the ground, while other creatures similar to the first, but far smaller, leap out and land next to the first.*

*Before long, several hundred of the creatures are assembled. The green drones remain clustered around the base of the pod, while the larger ones begin spreading out, apparently scouting the area. Once they are satisfied, the largest one returns to the pod and makes a metallic screech.*

*It is soon answered by a similar screech, which is turn followed by a huge creature, larger than even the first, landing on the volcanic rock. The newcomer is the size of a human pickup truck and clearly the leader of these strange beings. It looks around, and a short, metallic exchange follows between the leader and its slightly smaller subordinate. Most the green beings then head back into the pod, while the larger ones (including their leader) begin clearing as much volcanic rock as they can from around its base.*

*After a while, the green creatures emerge from the pod's interior, carrying what appear to be supplies. Once the supplies are deposited outside the pod, the larger beings gather in a semicircle around their lifeboat and with a mighty collective heave, push it into the river of lava. The pod bobs down the stream of fire, slowly melting until there is nothing left. Meanwhile, the entire party of creatures leaves the supplies in a pile and proceeds toward the nearby volcano. Upon reaching its base, the party gathers into a column of sorts with the second-largest at its head and the leader in the middle. They then begin tunneling into the volcanic mountainside, spitting acid from their mouths to dissolve the rock and making use of their powerful primary limbs to drill through the weakened stone.*

*The process takes a long time, but eventually, a tunnel into the mountain of fire is created. The creatures take a break to rest before resuming their work, and as they do so, the leader sits atop a rise and looks at the tumultuous sky. For a brief moment, the clouds of ash and pillars and flame part, allowing it a brief glimpse at the stars. The leader lowers its head when the little pinpricks of light disappear once more and stares at the ground. Then, it gets up and joins the others in their work. Before long, the group begins disappearing into the tunnel they have made, and the leader pauses before following. It looks back, and sees the stars once more. Then, it turns and vanishes into the heady blackness.*

Last edited by Fore Admiral Disayle on Wed Jul 13, 2011 7:03 pm; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : Mistake.)

“If you would mind my asking, why is a High Sovereignty here, overseeing a shakedown run of a new vessel, ma’am?” The captain asked the dark red-haired, 21 year old, young and beautiful looking women that sat in the captain’s chair, one hand supporting her head, and her legs crossed, giving the obvious sign that she was bored out of her mind as she stared into the black abyss of space, with an aurora-like energy flying past the ship. One bang of hair blocked one of her eyes, but that did not stop the naval officer from being a little intimidated by her presence. As her eyes passed from the view screen, to the pilots, and then to the captain, that feeling of intimidation grew more when he stared into her emerald eyes. “Inform Commander Rain to meet me in the briefing room, captain.” She replied plainly, totally ignoring the captain’s question. “Y-yes, ma’am.” The captain replied near instantly, stuttering somewhat out of fear of losing his position or something.

As Rain walked through the hallways casually, undaunted by all of the tension from the crew and the fact that he was summoned by a high sovereign, all he wondered about really was what this was going to be about this time. He was requested to escort High Sovereign Cross, but, that’s all he was told, and he didn’t like being left out of the loop at all. They don’t send me in just to watch shakedown runs… It would be a waste of my time, not to mention that they brought my entire team with me as well. He thought to himself, as he walked past hurried crew members. He stood out like a sore thumb with his black, decorated, archangel uniform, against their white, more simplistic and casual outfits.

As he entered the briefing room, Cross was already sitting on the opposite side of the room, looking bored as usual in her black, long, sleek dress. “I hope this isn’t going to be a waste of my time, ma’am.” Rain replied, somewhat respectfully, but clearly stating that he was not afraid of this woman in front of her. “Ah, a daring, young, and courageous commander to the end.” She commented, smiling brightly. “You should find this mission to be quite… entertaining.” “Oh…great…” Rain muttered to himself. “Are you at least going to tell me what I’m going up against or am I going to have to wing it like last time?” He asked, already discouraged by Cross’s words. “You know of our past, right, how we managed to ‘ascend to the stars’ as prophets would say.” “If I remember correctly, we ‘ascended’ when we uncovered a series of ancient, Primitus installations on our worlds in the Ultra Vires system, including our homeworld. These discoveries lead to an influx of technology, propelling us five hundred years forward in development, or so they say. With how damaged the installations were, we only got bits and pieces of the puzzle that is the Primitus, but according to our ancient mythology, they acted as gods in our past, and were driven out by another god named Vires, which is who our star system was named after, and his angels, also known as Arkhein. Am I right so far?” Rain replied, almost intuitively, as if this was drilled into his head and came just on the mentioning of it.

“Spot on, commander, very well done.” She said, smiling even wider somehow. “Those Arkhein were also mentioned in parts of the Primitus database, but there is no mention of this ‘Vires’, leading to major controversy as to whether this is even true.” “Am I here just to recap ancient history, ma’am?” Rain asked, getting bored of relearning what he already knows. “Getting impatient are we? You need to be patient, commander.” “…” “I brought you along because recent excavations in the Kurian star system have uncovered another Primitus installation…” “And? It’s likely inactive and damaged, like the others, it’s not that significant to bring an elite special forces squad, is it?” “Under normal circumstances, you’d be right, but this one seems to be perfectly intact under the massive sea of Kurian II. We have reason to believe that the defense systems would probably activate if we tamper with it, so, we’re sending you in first.” “’We’ meaning you, right?” Rain asked, not convinced that intelligence would think of such a situation plausible. “You know me too well.” She replied, now just smiling somewhat deviously. “Still, your orders stand.” “Land into the installation and shut down the defense systems, avoid destruction of the artifact if possible. How big is this thing anyway?” “We’re not sure. Initial scans show multiple levels branching across at least ten miles of land in width, and thirty in length. As for depth, it seems to go as low as twenty stories, with a large, cylindrical pit reaching all the way down. We’re not sure what the Primitus was doing with this, but I intend to find out…” “I also suspect that we’re taking the now most advanced ship in the fleet because you’re expecting ‘surprises’ as well?” “Let’s just say that I plan on having a bit of fun before this ends. Are your orders clear?” “Yes, ma’am.” “Good, before you go, you’ll be given the schematics of the base as best as we could tell.” “I’m surprised you’re being that charitable…” Rain replied, to which Cross just laughed lightly. “Dismissed, commander.” “Yes, ma’am.”

After just a few minutes, the Leviathan class HCC came out of ftl right over the planet of Kurian II, whose oceanic surface seemed to glow with peaceful respite. Rain ignored this invitation, however, as Dominae suited up, and the heavy transport they were in began its launch sequence toward the planet.

“Ma’am, we’re being hailed by the local defense fleet.” “Just tell them I’m aboard, I’m sure they won’t bother us.” She said, still smiling deviously, as she thought of several scenarios on how this mission will play out. “Oh, and tell the captain to enter tactical alert, just in case.” “May I ask why, ma’am?” The captain asked, confused at such an order when this was supposed to be a shakedown run. “Just a hunch.” “…”

Last edited by Quantum Rain on Sat Jul 16, 2011 5:10 pm; edited 1 time in total

several musket balls impact along the water near the dignhy and some into the wood of the dighy, one misses malary my a hair but she remains standing tall, imposign as ever with her 2 handed war cutlass in hand. the dignhy runs aground as a volley of grape/cannister shot is fired from the dreams of desolation. using the hail of death as cover she leads her mean to where the rest of the team are assembled

_________________________________________________"The three goddesses hid the Triforce containing the power of the gods somewhere in Hyrule . . . If someone with an evil mind has his wish granted, the world will be consumed by evil." (Zelda)

the messengers arrive telling each group not to fire upon the group at the front gates. as they are actually our own men.---------------------------

Ladd and his gang are at the doors of the Turkish base

"Sir we are the only survivors! hurry let us in and help before we all die! I don't want to die!" Says one of his members wearing the highest commanding soldier uniform and hat in their "regiment"...

"Well hurry on up were taking fire too!" the captain says while the 'wounded regiment of 50scurries in...

"Sir most of us are in fighting condition we're gunna join you on the holding of this place!"

And after each person is done taking a spot on the wall, (which the other group was climbing up with ladders) and has a gun ready they turn and fire upon their hospitable enemies...the way is clear and safe for them to climb to.

At least 50 turks' are taken down in the first 5 seconds and another 20 in 5 more seconds and another 5 seconds passed after that before they realize they were not being shot at and killed but shot down by 'comrades in arms'.

The Slaughters had begun, knives, guns, and laughs is what many will remember their end by.

The Cossacks poured over the walls, pistols flared and blades glittered int early morning sun. Turk and Cossack alike fell in battle roach and his elite made his way up the hill toward a multilayered row of sand bags the Turks had set up along the hill leading to their barracks and command center. The Turk's muskets flared the Cossacks took casualties but the armor they wore protected a large part of them. Dimitri vaulted over the sand bags cutting down Turks with his sabre. A Turk fired his musket slamming into roach's breast plate sending him falling to the ground he lie their stunned for a moment but a pair of strong arms lifted him to his feet.

"On your feet Ataman!" Misha rumbled as he hefted Dimitri to his feet they stormed up the hill clearing the Turkish barricades. In front of the command center a line of Turks with halberds stood shoulder to shoulder. Behind them the door to the command center swung open and a massive Turk strode forward drawing a large two handed sword from his back.

"Witch of you Slavic pigs is the leader of this rabble!" he bellowed.

Dimitri stepped forward shedding his damaged armor.

"I lead these fine warriors in battle." Dimitri replied defiantly

"Then come and face men coward let us do battle!"

Dimitri examined the large Turk he had reach and strength but Roach had flexibility and speed. The two face each other and slowly circled like a pair of lions then the Turk charged bellowing a war cry taking a high swing for Dimitri's head. Dimitri slid like a baseball player beneath the Turk's swing and with great strength thrust a dagger into the Turk's thigh. The Turk howled in agony and whirled around slashing wildly at roach with his blade. Roach Jumped back the tip of the Turk's blade grazing his chest tearing his shirt and opening a shallow wound. Dimitri gritted his teeth shaking off the sting of pain Dimitri dodged the Turk's heavy swings coming up behind him with slash of his sabre tearing a gash in the Turk's back Dimitri back flipped out of the way before the Turk could swing. The massive Turk made a foolish charge at Dimitri swinging his blade over handed Dimitri side stepped his and the Turk swung his sword down and it became lodged in the side of a log in a pile next to one of the barracks. The Turk tried to pry his blade free but Dimitri swung his sabre taking off both the Turks hands. The Turk reeled in pain screaming he fell to his knees screaming. Dimitri rose his sabre above his head and decapitated the kneeling Turk. The stunned Turk elite began to charge but cossacks who has quietly surrounded them as they stood watching the fight cut them down with musket fire.

Dimitri raised his sabre in the air triumphantly reminding his men why they had elected him Ataman they roared "URA!". and went back to Securing the rest of the Turk fort.

_________________________________________________Sir Noret: "Men we sail for Crimea to slaughter the enemies of God, those ghastly Turks who seek to disrupt the operations of our glorious ally Russia. Set forth with God Speed!"

malara glimpsed at her men as they continued in the wholesale slaughter then at her massive cutlass now dripping with blood. her white robe/coat remained unsullied somehow not a drop of blood had touched it.

_________________________________________________"The three goddesses hid the Triforce containing the power of the gods somewhere in Hyrule . . . If someone with an evil mind has his wish granted, the world will be consumed by evil." (Zelda)

After scavenging the Xbec for additional cannons and completing repairs Karl ordered the Luftstromen der Reichtum forward toward the coastal garrison. Once there Karl commanded a landing part to go forth and support their comrades on land.

Dimitri kicked open the door to the Turk headquarters it was deserted several dead Turks lay strewn about the room. A gaping hole was torn in the wall were a cannon shot had hit. Dimitri entered the adjoining room and nearly dropped his sabre. Gold and silver coins were strewn about a room half the length of the building chests overflowed with gold and jewels. Golden goblets and chalices lined the walls fine weapons filled barrels.

"Oh my god."

_________________________________________________Sir Noret: "Men we sail for Crimea to slaughter the enemies of God, those ghastly Turks who seek to disrupt the operations of our glorious ally Russia. Set forth with God Speed!"

*Supreme Commander Ackbar looks up from examining his portable tactical display while perched inside the battered husk of an apartment building, one of the few structures still precariously standing for several miles around. The rest of the terrain is a mix of rubble, vehicle and airship wreckage, and the still bodies of several million avian soldiers. It is these corpses that attract the Commander's eyes the most as his gaze sweeps the battlefield.*

Millions more will die before this is over. But they know as well as I that this is the only way to end this war and save our race. *He thinks sadly.*

*Bright flashes are visible not far to the north of Ackbar's position, deeper into the city where more buildings are standing than in his area, but that number is decreasing steadily. The sounds of battle reach him: muted thuds and booms, the high-pitched chirps of energy blasters, and the lower tones of vehicle-scale weapons. Massive airborne warships duke it out over the urban battle, and as the hawk watches, one of them is struck by a missile salvo fired from the buildings below, lists, and smashes broadside into a huge skyscraper. The impact causes the structure to snap in half and slam into the ground still entangled with the now-crippled warship. The fall sends out a shockwave that rattles even Ackbar's perch and throws up a huge cloud of dust. However, even inside the cloud, the flashes of battle quickly start up again.*

*Suddenly, another missile volley streaks out from the contested sector of the city, but this time straight towards Ackbar's perch. Seconds before impact, the missiles are violently halted by a green wall of energy that prevents them from harming the Commander at all. The barrier quickly disappears from the visual spectrum once the threat has been neutralized.*

*Immediately after the missiles' impact, the hawk receives a ping on the communicator running parallel to his beak's lower mandible.*

Ackbar: Yes? Go ahead, Addrson.

Addrson: Sir, that was either a lucky shot or your location being compromised. Or both. I'd rather not risk it.

Ackbar: I do have the shield up here to protect me, Addrson.

Addrson: I know, sir, it's just...if the enemy have discovered your location, they'll just keep hammering the shield until it gives way. What then when the next missile impacts? *Pause, static.* Please, Commander. It'd be really hard for me to fly up there and you'd be doing all of us a personal favor. Will you just come down from there?

*Ackbar considers the request, and then affirms.* Ackbar: Very well, Addrson. For you.

Addrson (relieved): Thank you, sir.

*The hawk takes once last look at the battlefield before stowing his tactical display on his waist sash, stepping forward, and leaping out of the room's doorway, which is open to the air. He keeps his wings folded and plummets straight down toward the bottom of the structure, where a rudimentary forward operating base has been set up. Avian troops--all curiously flightless, but well-armed and armored--scurry back and forth, into and out of, the base, while hovering vehicles navigate the dessicated urban terrain.*

*As Ackbar zips down to the base, a massive airship slowly flies over the building he had been perched and continues heading towards the frontlines. The ground and the very air shake violently from its passage.*

*Soon, the Commander is back in the base, attended by several guards and a trumpeter that has the appearance of constantly being under stress.*

Addrson: What did you see up there, sir?

Ackbar: Nothing that my tactical couldn't tell me. Still--a commander should always try to go beyond holograms and screens. It serves to remind me of the good avians I'm sending to die even now, and of those already dead. It also reminds me of what we're fighting for.

Addrson: That's a very philosophical way of looking at it, Commander.

Ackbar: I won't bore you further, Addrson.

Addrson: You've never bored me, sir.

Ackbar: Of all the things you're good at, Addrson, you're not good at lying. Even politely, even to be respectful.

*The trumpeter appears rather taken aback. Ackbar goes on.*

But that's partially why I like you. A little honesty is refreshing in this insane world sometimes.

Addrson: ...thank you, sir?

*Ackbar chuckles.* Ackbar: Never mind, Addrson. Are my special orders being carried out?

Addrson: Yes, sir. Civilian casualties are low, if non-existent. The only ones so far have been attributed to the Children themselves.

Ackbar: Regrettable, but it will all be over soon. I will personally apologize to every citizen who lost a loved one in this battle--when they don't want to rip my eyes out, of course.

malara steps in the room and her men folow with perfect military diciplin.malara: theres enough here to upgrade my guns.... *thinking of replacing her 18 pounders with 24 pounders* she drools momentarily before she turns and starts searching the fort for iron.

_________________________________________________"The three goddesses hid the Triforce containing the power of the gods somewhere in Hyrule . . . If someone with an evil mind has his wish granted, the world will be consumed by evil." (Zelda)

"I haven't counted it yet but there is enough here for us all to buy a new ship and still have money left over to split amongst our men. Misha!"

Misha came running in.

"Yes Ataman?"

"I want you to pick the most loyal of the men and post guards here. Tell the other captains to do the same. While i trust every man on my ship with my life our gold is another matter."

Misha nodded and scurried off Dimitri's eyes fell to one of the weapons barrels he reached in and pulled out two beautifully crafted pistols. Both had rifled barrels and their grips were inlaid with the Double headed Eagle in a glittering gold. A pattern like grape vines wrapped around their barrels in glittering silver. Roach slid them into his pistol bandoleer and left the room."

(Its a really big treasure room )

_________________________________________________Sir Noret: "Men we sail for Crimea to slaughter the enemies of God, those ghastly Turks who seek to disrupt the operations of our glorious ally Russia. Set forth with God Speed!"

malara and her men continue carefully executing precise combat, several of her men are wounded but so far nothing serius. she digs into her cot and pulls up 2 grenados lighting them she hurles them at a swarm of oncoming turks who last only long enough to see theire limbs torn off by the blast and bodies pelted with wooden fragmends, musketballs and stones

_________________________________________________"The three goddesses hid the Triforce containing the power of the gods somewhere in Hyrule . . . If someone with an evil mind has his wish granted, the world will be consumed by evil." (Zelda)

“So, commander, you never told us what this is about...” Oliver pointed out, as he stretched and relaxed on the not-so-comfortable seats, slouching in the relatively hard bench that served to carry soldiers to and from battles. “…” Rain turns around from staring at the window out of the corner of his eye, the water sparkled so peacefully, he was almost jealous of it, as funny as it sounded. “Some excavations uncovered another Primitus relic, underneath the ocean this time.” “Isn’t that a job for a local security force?” Marko asked dully, not very thrilled about being sent in to perform a trivial task like this. “Normally, yes, but, according to High Sovereign Cross, the installation is near perfectly intact… and she doesn’t want to take any chances.” “So, we should expect some resistance then?” Lara asked, curious. “I can’t give any guarantees about what might happen, what I can say is that this relic is the biggest one we’ve found yet.” Rain says with a little pride, as he holds out a datapad that calls up a projection of the installation. First pointing out where they were, then zooming out and showing the entire installation in a 3-d likeness with such detail as to make an artist envious in some ways. “Intel has provided us with their initial readings, but from what I can tell personally; this thing goes deeper into the planet than what we can see.”

Most of the squad studied the map, just like Rain did before this mission started. It was a beaten-into-the-skull characteristic most special forces commandos have. “This…central pit, it’s not like the other installations…” Lara pointed out, still curious about the situation. “My best guess is that they wanted to ‘access’ the planet’s core. For what, I have no idea, but then again, making heads or tails of Primitus methods tends to be impossible.” Rain replied, as he turned off the projection. “Our task is relatively simple, go in and shut down any defense systems, while also trying not to turn the place into a warzone, Sam.” Rain said, glaring at Samuel, who was just sitting there, not really paying attention. “Hey! That was not my fault!” Sam objected almost immediately, glaring right back at Rain. “Uhuh.” Rain said, just smiling as he turned back to the others. “Obviously, since we’re still missing a few members due to the last ‘incident’, we’ll be playing this cautiously. Form into two groups of six and do not deviate from your objectives as they are sent. Understood?” The others simple nod their head yes, in affirmation.

--In Orbit above Kurian, Leviathan Prototype--

“Ma’am. We’re reading some unusual power signatures coming from the relic site.” An officer reported from his station. “I take it the commander has reached the site already?” She asked, not surprised at all. “Just got a confirmation on that ma’am.” A comms officer reported immediately after she asked. “Good… bring the defense fleet into a full combat alert, captain.” She ordered, smiling deviously. “Aye ma’am.” The captain replied, as the home fleet forms up around the Leviathan, a lose, standard configuration. In comparison, the Leviathan was the largest ship in that fleet, and the most heavily armed as well. “The fleet is awaiting your orders, ma’am.”

Body-parts flew, half chopped-off fingers with twitching ligaments still warm and hard from the blood and once live being they were attached too, now grounded into the bloody marsh their killers stood and celebrated upon. Ladd's crew had not seen so much blood or gore since 'The-big-night'.

All but 5 lived. Their element of surprise and ruthless efficiency was their key to splendid victory. though of course each and everyone of them knew that sacrifaces must be made.

Some men like paintings some like music; other like stabbing and screams. These men were the highest critics and artist of their time. The art they created was worth more than their lives. Despite how hard being 'an artist' is 5 dead meant 5 less to learn from, not 5 less to compete with; no, competition is for banks and countries. Not for artists. Instead canvas's of blades and lead pellets are stretched and emotions and feelings of joy and sorrow filled with ever lingering mistakes eased their creative minds, with the brush strokes of blood, agony, and following swiftly by death.

Ladd's crew were known to never fire or strike on the same target. 2 painters do not use the same canvas, instead each one is given the opportunity to express themselves, and the result is both once a beautiful untouched part of life and now a piece of 'art' but expressed and composed by themselves to make it unique and something only true artist would understand and appreciate the value of. The mutilations of bodies and deranged faces no longer of the human kind is something that each artist paints, seems a bit different yet still wrong, and so he must keep searching for perfection, and feels only satisfaction when reaching closer with a kind of undefinable learning, not like a fact or a realization, but something they can only know themselves, a certain something that no one else seems to really understand.

"Please I have children at home!"

"remember me my love ka-"

"Allah will av-"

"agguuuhhhhhaaaaa ple-"

"*sob* *sob* NO NO NOOOOOOOOOAAAaaaguh-"

What a finished piece 'speaks' to the artist is something they must never forget; for the arts true meaning is derived from that bold finishing statement. Like the complementary closing of a letter; telling you more about the person and your relationship than the writings they send to you.

Ladd's crew like joyful kids dance and sing in the blood.

Some laugh, some even cry, but all for one day, they are finally sickly 'satisfied'.

*Ackbar sweeps his gaze over the movement of forces once again, and ducks into the base with Addrson in tow. Before long, he is in the command center, which has a much more complete tactical map than his PDA. A hologram of Ironbeak has appeared on the side.*

Ironbeak: Looks like they were counting on that missile strike either killing or incapacitating you--spotters report a high massing of Children forces on your front, as if in anticipation of a major push forward.

*This is indicated visually on the command center's tactical map.*

Ackbar: I agree. *His wing suddenly and almost imperceptibly throbs as his mind and body remember a different reality, one in which this day was a major setback for the Apterin Union.* Not today. Today we take one more step towards saving our people.

Ironbeak: What made you decide to put up the shield, sir?

Ackbar: A good commander is never reckless.

Ironbeak: Yeah, right, as though I'd ever hear that from you. *They both chuckle, and the eagle looks at the hawk expectantly.* So, what's our next move?

*The commander looks down at the display, noting that the massed Children units are holding their position.* Ackbar: They haven't realized that the missiles failed...they're more desperate than I thought. *He then raises his head and begins issuing orders.* Order all units on the southern front to make a tactical withdrawal. Anticipate a major push to be right on their tailfeathers.

*His commands begin to be carried out, and he turns back to Ironbeak.* Start cutting across the city toward the southern front, as though you're in a hurry to assume command in a new situation.

*The general catches on quickly.* Ironbeak: Very clever, sir...all ships! Full power to engines--set course toward the southern front. No evasive actions; we'll be heading straight over hostile forces. Stay sharp!

Ackbar: You know when?

Ironbeak: I'll be watching.

Ackbar: Good.

--Aves System--

Hiigaran Special Operations Agent "Wraith": Situation log 09-377. I've stopped in an uncharted star system to recharge my ship's hyperdrive and attempt to get a message back home. Sending out a transmission of any kind is likely to alert the vessel purusing me to my position, but I have to try--the data I'm carrying is vital.

So far, my attempts to link up with Command have been unsuccessful. I will keep trying until the hyperdrive has cooled down a bit, and then move on. I can't stay here for long...that thing is out there and it will find me more quickly than Command would like.

On another note, one of the worlds in this system appears to be inhabited, but that is irrelevant right now. End log.

As the shuttle landed, and Dominae stepped out, the entire area just instantly lit up, as if it sensed a being’s presence was nearby. There wasn’t much to see, just a dome that the shuttle landed through, it opening and closing upon approaching it. “Well, it knows we’re here…” Rain commented dully. “Okay, split up, I’ll lead my team to the enemy defenses, if they exist, Lara, you take your team and find the mainframe. You should be able to turn off or redirect power if you can access it.” Rain ordered, and in a few moments, the rest of the team already split up into two groups, and began carrying them out. Rain, Will, Day, Nova, and Sam set out, then Lara, Matt, Oliver, Abel, and Snow went in a different direction, each with a purpose.

After ten minutes of searching the installation, they haven’t even made a dent in mapping it out. Lara reported in nothing new yet, not even any resistance, which is the same on Rain’s end. “Something isn’t right, be careful, Lara.” Rain said into the comm, as they came up upon a ledge that opened into the central pit of doom. “Aren’t I always?” Lara replied smugly, as Rain just smiled and turned it off. “…Why make something like this? It doesn’t make sense…” Rain asked himself, looking up and then down. There were several ledges like the one he’s standing on, with no way to travel to any of them, which seemed odd. “Can we keep moving, sir? There’s nothing here…” Will said, kicking a small rock down the pit out of boredom. It fell, not hitting anything as far as Rain can hear. “Really deep…” Rain commented, as he turned around and was about to walk out back into the hallways that circled around the pit, when he heard a strange, loud ‘BANG’ from below. As he looked down, he saw several thousand, small lights down there, and they seemed to be getting bigger and bigger with each second that passed by. “Oh crap… Get back!” Rain ordered, as they ran off the ledge that receded back into the wall. A few seconds passed and all that could be seen was an endless swarm of drone-like objects. “…Lara, we have company…” Rain said into the comm, as a few of the drones came flying at Rain’s team.

_________________________________________________

Signatures:

"All endeavors call for the ability to tramp the last mile, shape the last plan, endure the last hours toil. The fight to the finish is the one... characteristic we must possess if we are to face the future as finishers." - Henry David Thoreau

"If you think people care about you or your commands, you're delusional. You have to make an impact, a legacy to be accountable to. Be the cause of a calamity or a miracle, and then you will become the symbol of the people; A true leader with authority, either through the mutual fear or love of the masses." - Mikhail Azarias

SGOS wrote:Body-parts flew, half chopped-off fingers with twitching ligaments still warm and hard from the blood and once live being they were attached too, now grounded into the bloody marsh their killers stood and celebrated upon. Ladd's crew had not seen so much blood or gore since 'The-big-night'.

All but 5 lived. Their element of surprise and ruthless efficiency was their key to splendid victory. though of course each and everyone of them knew that sacrifaces must be made.

Some men like paintings some like music; other like stabbing and screams. These men were the highest critics and artist of their time. The art they created was worth more than their lives. Despite how hard being 'an artist' is 5 dead meant 5 less to learn from, not 5 less to compete with; no, competition is for banks and countries. Not for artists. Instead canvas's of blades and lead pellets are stretched and emotions and feelings of joy and sorrow filled with ever lingering mistakes eased their creative minds, with the brush strokes of blood, agony, and following swiftly by death.

Ladd's crew were known to never fire or strike on the same target. 2 painters do not use the same canvas, instead each one is given the opportunity to express themselves, and the result is both once a beautiful untouched part of life and now a piece of 'art' but expressed and composed by themselves to make it unique and something only true artist would understand and appreciate the value of. The mutilations of bodies and deranged faces no longer of the human kind is something that each artist paints, seems a bit different yet still wrong, and so he must keep searching for perfection, and feels only satisfaction when reaching closer with a kind of undefinable learning, not like a fact or a realization, but something they can only know themselves, a certain something that no one else seems to really understand.

"Please I have children at home!"

"remember me my love ka-"

"Allah will av-"

"agguuuhhhhhaaaaa ple-"

"*sob* *sob* NO NO NOOOOOOOOOAAAaaaguh-"

What a finished piece 'speaks' to the artist is something they must never forget; for the arts true meaning is derived from that bold finishing statement. Like the complementary closing of a letter; telling you more about the person and your relationship than the writings they send to you.

Ladd's crew like joyful kids dance and sing in the blood.

Some laugh, some even cry, but all for one day, they are finally sickly 'satisfied'.

(I think there may be some underlying issues you should have examined by a professional my friend.)

Vladamir came running up to Roach he stooped down his breath heavy.

"Ataman!" He hollered between gasps for air.

"What is it Vlad? What did you do swim here? You look terrible man."

"Sir it the Neptune's Fire We took far more damage than we thought sir. The men worked the pumps like heroes until we got all the wounded off but we couldn't save the ship. I'm sorry sir."

Dimitri bowed his head and took off his hat.

"She was a fine boat built her from the keel up just me, my brothers and uncles. That ship had my blood sweat and tears in it. I guess that doesn't matter now though get every one aboard the Ataman's Bounty and get the repairs started. There are plenty of spare guns stored in the warehouse the Turks have built along the north wall let the others know they can replenish their stores from there. And give the crew extra food and rum tonight they have earned it."

Dimitri climbed up the hill he threw down the Ottoman flag and Planted a Russian banner in it place drawing shouts from his men.

An old Dreadnaught-Class Heavy Cruiser exits hyperspace. It hull was painted jet black on either side of the bow the Nod emblem was framed by spot lights. A single Dragonfly-class Star fighter slipped quietly out of the ships launch bay the dreadnaught then activated its cloak and vanished.

Slavic Looked Over his controls and waited for the inevitable response to his presence.

_________________________________________________Sir Noret: "Men we sail for Crimea to slaughter the enemies of God, those ghastly Turks who seek to disrupt the operations of our glorious ally Russia. Set forth with God Speed!"

In the vast expanse of space the crew of the Dreadnought would barely be able to make out a 300 meter long vessel belching smoke. On board, the bridge crew were scratching their heads. The capitain of the vessel, Rudolf Sahner, peered out the bridge's view ports at the intruding object. "Was that there before? By God, I don't believe it was, let us proceed at full speed toward it!"

At that, the vessel could be seen to belch even more smoke as it started to slowly accelerate toward the Dreadnought. When it was about 500 meters away, faint light could be seen from the emanating from the ships windows. Several minutes later, as the ship approached 100 meters distant, a tether was fired out of one the ship's cannons. The tether failed to catch hold on the hull of the Dreadnought. On board Sahner sighs, "now what do we do, make ourselves a hole? That would be rude of us," he thinks aloud.

Luftstromen der Reichtum

The boarding party continues to kill Turks, Karl waits for some signal to meet and discuss the results of the battle.

In the vast expanse of space the crew of the Dreadnought would barely be able to make out a 300 meter long vessel belching smoke. On board, the bridge crew were scratching their heads. The capitain of the vessel, Rudolf Sahner, peered out the bridge's view ports at the intruding object. "Was that there before? By God, I don't believe it was, let us proceed at full speed toward it!"

At that, the vessel could be seen to belch even more smoke as it started to slowly accelerate toward the Dreadnought. When it was about 500 meters away, faint light could be seen from the emanating from the ships windows. Several minutes later, as the ship approached 100 meters distant, a tether was fired out of one the ship's cannons. The tether failed to catch hold on the hull of the Dreadnought. On board Sahner sighs, "now what do we do, make ourselves a hole? That would be rude of us," he thinks aloud.

Luftstromen der Reichtum

The boarding party continues to kill Turks, Karl waits for some signal to meet and discuss the results of the battle.

Dimitri sent runners out to round up the other captains and discuss the results of the battle.

"Captain we a ship approaching it is heavily damaged." A young ensign said from her station

"It must have seen us before we raised out cloak." the captain said scratching his snow white beard. "Raise shields go to yellow alert."

"Sir it has latched onto us" A Klingon Said from the tactical station.

"Have fire teams on stand by. I don't like this."

*Slavic maneuvered his fighter next to the damaged ship and uses a site to site transporter to beam aboard. He appeared in an empty corridor after checking his surroundings he drew his A large caliber handgun with a suppressor attached and proceeded toward the bridge.*

_________________________________________________Sir Noret: "Men we sail for Crimea to slaughter the enemies of God, those ghastly Turks who seek to disrupt the operations of our glorious ally Russia. Set forth with God Speed!"

The captain continues to scratch his head until a lieutenant points an outcropping on the Dreadnought, "Sir, perhaps we could shoot a tether around that and send a time to look for a entrance, if it is indeed a ship," he suggests."Yes, an excellent idea Lieutenant," Sahner responds, and makes it so. Soon a team of three Holy Marines are climbing (if you can call horizontally traversing a rope climbing) the tether attached to one of the Dreadnought's antennae.

Slavic would find himself in a extraordinary dull hallway, lit only my oil-burning lamps spaced approximately every meter. Every so often he would pass a double iron doorway that appeared to be the rudminetary equivalent of a bulkhead.

-----------------------------------

Crimean Coast

Karl follows the runner back to meet Roach. Once there he smartly salutes Roach, "Congratulations Captain, an excellent beginning to our mission."

--Novas Roma--A larger than average starfighter came out of ftl, heavily outfitted than the original design by far. The pilot was woken up instantly by the Artificial Intelligence installed into the fighter, reporting that they have arrived at their destination. "The planet seems to be the capital, from what I can tell, and their ships are... primitive..." A holographic female says in the corner of the cockpit. "...Primitive?" The pilot asks, looking at the scans of the nearby ships. "'I could throw a missile missing a warhead and sink three' primitive." "...figures."

_________________________________________________

Signatures:

"All endeavors call for the ability to tramp the last mile, shape the last plan, endure the last hours toil. The fight to the finish is the one... characteristic we must possess if we are to face the future as finishers." - Henry David Thoreau

"If you think people care about you or your commands, you're delusional. You have to make an impact, a legacy to be accountable to. Be the cause of a calamity or a miracle, and then you will become the symbol of the people; A true leader with authority, either through the mutual fear or love of the masses." - Mikhail Azarias

The captain continues to scratch his head until a lieutenant points an outcropping on the Dreadnought, "Sir, perhaps we could shoot a tether around that and send a time to look for a entrance, if it is indeed a ship," he suggests."Yes, an excellent idea Lieutenant," Sahner responds, and makes it so. Soon a team of three Holy Marines are climbing (if you can call horizontally traversing a rope climbing) the tether attached to one of the Dreadnought's antennae.

Slavic would find himself in a extraordinary dull hallway, lit only my oil-burning lamps spaced approximately every meter. Every so often he would pass a double iron doorway that appeared to be the rudminetary equivalent of a bulkhead.

-----------------------------------

Crimean Coast

Karl follows the runner back to meet Roach. Once there he smartly salutes Roach, "Congratulations Captain, an excellent beginning to our mission."

Crimea

"Indeed Karl it has gone well so far but i lost my ship and a lot of good men im afraid we will be stuck here until my troops arrive from the Don river basin they will bring us much needed supplies and more men."

_________________________________________________________________

Slavic continued down the dully lit corridor staring at the lamps and noting the primitive architecture.

"Am i on a space ship or in a castle?" he muttered to him self as he continued along the corridor.

Aboard the Nod ship the captain saw the three men clambering across the tether.

"What on earth are these loons doing?"

"I don't know but it is making for an impressive show so far" a voice said from the back of the bridge.

The captain spun on his heel and dropped to a knee.

"My lord i did not know you were awake."

A man in 18th century style green Russian military garb with an ornate longsword on his belt strode forward, and put his hand on the captains shoulder.

"You have not offended me captain i am but an honored guest. Rise let us see how this plays out."

"As you wish Tsar Putin."

*the crew rose and returned to their stations.*

_________________________________________________Sir Noret: "Men we sail for Crimea to slaughter the enemies of God, those ghastly Turks who seek to disrupt the operations of our glorious ally Russia. Set forth with God Speed!"

Another ship, of the same design as the other, spots the new comer, and commences the same procedure. The cruiser lumbers toward the fighter and upon reaching it the captain, more cautious then Sahner, waits to see what the fighter will do.

------------------------------------------------------------------Upon reaching the Dreadnought, the team attaches shorter individual tethers and go in search of some-form of access hatch.

At the end of the corridor lay a large, but single door with a sign that read 'Helm' over it.